Saturday, 16 May 2015

Vision Funko POP! – Phasing Variant (Avengers: Age of Ultron)

Series: POP! Marvel

Year: 2015

RRP: $16.99 AUD

Avengers: Age of
Ultron – how much fun was that movie? It certainly wasn’t perfect (I couldn’t
help but think of Superman Returns
when the island started levitating) but it was more than a passable middle
movie, setting up for the likely-to-be-epic Captain
America: Civil War and Avengers:
Infinity

War.

I was dubious about Vision when he was first announced for the movie. He’s
a pretty vital member of the Avengers in the comics, but his costume has always
been a little on the nose and I wasn’t sure it would translate well. It didn’t
help when the first
poster featuring him made him look like a terrifying creature that had emerged
straight from the Uncanny
Valley to bring death to mankind.

Of course, I needn’t have worried; Vision ended up being one
of the best parts of the new film. I’m not totally sold on his costume, but I
found him so likeable and noble that I didn’t really mind. His design looks
even better in POP style, so after seeing this particular version on Free Comic
Book Day a few weeks ago, I decided it was time to invest in one.

There are two versions of Vision currently available, both
of them using the same sculpt. One is fully cast/painted in the appropriate
colours, whereas this particular guy resembles Vision in mid-phase – something he
does only briefly in the film but is an important part of his powers in the
comics.

To replicate this effect, numerous parts are cast in translucent
plastic, some of which are then partially painted. His legs, torso and hands
are all cast in this translucent plastic, while his head and arms are cast in
colour.

Considering that Funko isn’t known for its amazing
paintwork, they’ve done surprisingly well to replicate the effect so smoothly.
The paint problems with the figure are mostly confined to the sculpted details
on the back of the head; given that you’ll probably display him facing forward
it’s not such a big deal.

I’m not sure how common or uncommon this guy is. He seems to
be available as part of the standard part of the range, more of running change
than a true “chase” figure. Both figures look great, and it was a close call
between them for me – ultimately I got this one because I figured it would be
harder to find him later if I changed my mind.

Vision is another solid entry into the POP collection, if
not a spectacular one. Still, the combination of cutesy-friendly design and the
phasing effect gives him a bit of extra…well, pop…to stand out from the crowd.